Turkish Airlines is laying the foundation for a new investment initiative worth TRY 100 billion | News
Turkish Airlines has launched a comprehensive investment initiative that will strengthen Türkiye’s aviation infrastructure and further enhance its competitive advantage. As part of this strategic step, designed in line with the national carrier’s 2033 vision, groundbreaking ceremonies for eight new facilities with a total investment value of more than TRY 100 billion were held at various locations, mainly at Istanbul Airport, home of the national carrier.
The ceremony at Istanbul Airport was attended by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, senior executives of Turkish Airlines and its subsidiaries, and leading figures in Turkish aviation.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, says that with these investments, Türkiye will cross a new threshold in aviation and stated: “With a breakthrough that will leave its mark on the skies, open a new page at the pinnacle of aviation and further strengthen the wings of our national airline, we will make a determined and ambitious start to 2026. With the second phase of the SmartIST air cargo terminal underway 26,000 new jobs will be created by 2026, and our aviation ecosystem will continue to grow.”
Commenting on the new investments, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, said: “In line with our 2033 objectives, we are developing not only our fleet, but also the robust infrastructure that will allow us to fully utilize this fleet. This investment initiative, which exceeds TRY 100 billion and extends from our cargo operations to our technical maintenance capabilities and from our catering centers to integrated operational solutions, strengthens our global competitiveness and is a concrete demonstration of our vision to make Türkiye a of These investments, which will create 26,000 new jobs in 2026, will increase to 36,000 when all phases are completed. With these steps, we are building not only facilities, but also an ecosystem for the future of our country’s economy and aviation sector. Currently, our company’s contribution to our country’s economy is $65 billion, and when we achieve our 2033 goals, this amount will reach $144 billion.
As part of its new investments, Turkish Airlines is implementing the following projects to maintain global leadership in cargo, technical maintenance and catering:
– Turkey’s Cargo SmartIST Phase 2 project, which will become one of the world’s largest air cargo centers with an annual capacity of 4.5 million tons, is expected to be completed gradually over the period 2027-2028.
– Turkish Airlines’ main catering facility, positioned as one of the world’s largest inflight catering centers with a capacity to serve more than 500,000 passengers per day and expected to become operational in 2027-2028.
– The Turkish Technic Engine Maintenance Center, to be completed in 2027, will be one of Europe’s largest maintenance centers for new generation aircraft engines, with the ability to service Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97 and Trent 7000 Rolls Royce engines.
– In addition, additional aircraft maintenance hangars to be built under Turkish Technic and expected to be completed in 2026 will create a simultaneous maintenance capacity for 12 aircraft, increasing the company’s current maintenance capacity by an average of 20%.
– E-Commerce Complex, a key element in the logistics and digital transformation vision and scheduled to be put into operation in 2026, further strengthens Turkish Airlines’ role in global trade through Widect, its next-generation operating model that offers ‘door-to-door integrated cargo solutions’.
– The Istanbul Data Center, which will form the digital backbone of operational continuity and is expected to be operational in the period 2027-2028, will take the company’s technological capacity to a new level with its high-security infrastructure and advanced data management capabilities, while the Flight Training Center (Phase 1), planned for the period 2026-2027, will be central to human resources investments, supporting Turkish Airlines’ long-term growth strategy.
– The additional Turkish Airlines crew terminal building, planned in line with growing operational volume and scheduled for completion in 2026, is included in the investments as an additional infrastructure element that ensures a seamless logistics flow between ground services, maintenance and flight operations.
These investments form the basis of an integrated growth model that advances operational capacity, technical infrastructure and digital capabilities in line with Turkish Airlines’ 2033 goals to become one of the five largest fleets in the world as the airline celebrates its centenary. They also serve as the backbone of a strategic aviation ecosystem that supports global operations.
